Ernst Toch

about

Ernst Toch (7 December 1887 – 1 October 1964) was an Austrian composer of classical music and film scores. He sought throughout his life to introduce new approaches to music. Toch was born in Leopoldstadt, Vienna, into the family of a humble Jewish leather dealer when the city was at its 19th-century cultural zenith. He studied philosophy at the University of Vienna, medicine at Heidelberg and music at the Hoch Conservatory (1909–1913) in Frankfurt. His main instrument was the piano, and he was a pianist of real stature, performing to acclaim throughout much of western Europe. Much of his writing was intended for the piano. Toch continued to grow as an artist and composer throughout his adult life, and in America came to influence whole new generations of composers. His first compositions date from c. 1900 and were pastiches in the style of Mozart (quartets, 1905 album verses for piano). His first quartet was performed in Leipzig in 1908, and his sixth (Opus 12, 1905) in the year 1909. In 1909, his Chamber Symphony in F major (written 1906) won the Frankfurt/Main Mozart prize. From this time onwards, Toch dedicated himself to being a full-time composer. He won the Mendelssohn prize for composition in 1910. In 1913, he was appointed lecturer of both piano and composition at the College of Music in Mannheim. After winning a further five major prizes for his works, he served four years in the army on the Italian Front during World War I. In 1916, he married Lilly Zwack, the da

top songs

albums

TOCH: Tanz-Suite / Cello Concerto

Toch: Cantata of the Bitter Herbs / Jephta

Toch: Symphonies Nos. 5-7

Toch: String Quartets Nos. 11 & 13

Toch: Piano Quintet / Violin Sonata No. 2 / Burlesken / 3 Impromptus

Toch: Die chinesische Flote - Egon und Emilie

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Postcards

Toch: Solo Piano Pieces

Yorck Kronenberg

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North Texas Wind Symphony: Wildflowers

Toch: Violin Sonata No. 1 - Cello Sonata - String Trio

Toch: Symphonies Nos. 1 & 4

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